Dubai mission to become the world’s most dynamic launchpad for entrepreneurs is accelerating.
The Dubai Traders programme, a flagship initiative of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), has onboarded 2,400 new e-commerce sellers in its first year, helping small and medium enterprises (SMEs) scale across global markets through partnerships with Amazon and noon.
The initiative, launched by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Dubai Chambers in September 2024, aims to double the size of Dubai’s economy by 2033.
Dubai traders on Amazon and noon
Over the past 12 months, it has also supported 1,000 existing online businesses, cementing Dubai’s reputation as a hub for digital entrepreneurship and innovation.
Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), said: “Under the guidance of our visionary leadership, the Dubai Traders programme has moved from rollout to measurable impact in just 12 months.
“This initiative has shown how government and private sector collaboration can open new pathways for growth, innovation, and global reach.
“By mobilising top online retail players such as Amazon and noon, we are converting creativity into export revenue, proving that Dubai can design and scale high-impact programmes at speed.”
Amazon and noon deliver SME expansion
Through its partnerships with Amazon and noon, Dubai Traders provides sellers with advertising credits, licensing support, prioritised product placement, and dedicated account management.
These tools have boosted visibility during peak sales events and given entrepreneurs access to millions of online shoppers.
- noon sellers: 42 per cent expanded into new categories, 63 per cent added SKUs, and one in three multiplied gross merchandise value within a month
- Amazon sellers: 15 per cent have already expanded internationally, while 40 per cent are preparing to do so
More than 370 Emirati-owned businesses now represent 15 per cent of total participants, reflecting the programme’s growing impact on home-grown enterprises.
Faraz Khalid, CEO of noon Group, said: “Dubai Traders has proven that when you connect ambition with infrastructure, growth becomes inevitable. We’re proud to help create real momentum for Dubai’s entrepreneurs.”
Jasmin Frick, Director of Seller Success, Amazon MENA, said: “The remarkable success of Dubai Traders in its first year demonstrates the immense potential of our local business community to thrive in the digital economy.”
Empowering entrepreneurs
On Amazon’s platform, Emirati-owned businesses accounted for 23 per cent of new sellers, and women-owned businesses 35 per cent — a sign of the growing diversity in Dubai’s SME ecosystem.
Over a third of sellers listing more than five products have already reached top-tier sales volumes.
Rami Rabia, owner of Al Nassma Chocolate Factory LLC, said joining the programme provided “the right guidance to grow” — from advertising support to international expansion advice.
Looking ahead, Amazon will expand tailored account-management services and outreach to new seller segments, while noon will extend its noon Minutes delivery network and pilot seller-financing solutions to help micro-enterprises manage cash flow.
As a key D33 initiative, Dubai Traders embodies the emirate’s strategy to fuse innovation, entrepreneurship, and public-private partnership — converting local creativity into global commerce and keeping Dubai’s economy firmly in growth mode for the next decade.
